Tessellations, hands-on math

thingiverse

Hands-On Math with Tessellations Project This project allows students to design their own tessellations and explore the math behind them. Print Settings: Printer: Bq Witbox Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 20% Filament: PLA | Print Speed: 60mm/s | Bed adhesive: hair spray Designing Tessellations in Openscad Step 1: Design Polygons Use the formula {circle(20,$fn=8);%circle(20,$fn=90);} to create a 2D shape. Image 1: A 2D polygon created with Openscad Step 2: Add Volume Add the line linear_extrude(height = 3, center = true, convexity = 0) to add volume to the 2D shape. Image 2: A 3D polygon created with Openscad Step 3: Create Different Polygons Change the value above the green bar to create different polygons. Triangle, Pentagon, and Hexagon Examples Project Overview & Background: This project helps students learn math by designing their own tessellations and exploring "Calçada Portuguesa." Objectives: By the end of this project, students will be able to: Identify polygons Identify regular tessellations Identify semi-regular tessellations Build their own tessellations Audiences: 5th grade Subjects: Math Skills Learned: Math of polygons, Tessellations, "Calçada Portuguesa" history Lesson/Activity: Use a PowerPoint presentation as a guide for the activity. Step 1 - What is a Polygon? Ask students if they know what a polygon is and then proceed with the activity. First Slide: Definition of a Polygon Second Slide: Identify Polygons Worksheet Third Slide: Introduction to Tessellations Fourth Slide: Identify Regular Tessellations Worksheet Fifth Slide: Identify Semi-Regular Tessellations Worksheet Sixth Slide: Build Your Own Tessellation Worksheet Step 7-14: Calçada Portuguesa - A Brief History Show a story and images about "Calçada portuguesa" in the PowerPoint presentation. Duration: 45 minutes Preparation: List of Things to Get Before Activity Starts: Plastic polygons printed or ordered by the teacher A media projector and a computer Pencil for students A webcam or camera A printer Glue Scissors Make groups of 4 or 5 students References: For teachers, a resource on math behind tessellations is available at http://ictedusrv.cumbria.ac.uk/maths/pgdl/unit9/Tessellation.pdf Rubric & Assessment: Students should produce a lovely regular or semi-regular tessellation. Handouts & Assets: There are PowerPoint presentation and worksheets for students in the thing files folder.